Tagged: #42

I have been so busy that I have not updated my blog in a long time. I had part of this short review of the movie “42” in draft so I finally had a chance to finish it

A group of us (Lorena, Amanda Rosie, Josie, Elisa, my brother Vic and I) went to see the movie “42” on Saturday April 13. We went to a theater in Pasadena . I loved the movie but I was left with “is that the end?” It could have been longer as far as I was concern. It was too short.

Harrison Ford does an excellent job of portraying Branch Rickey. Ben Chapman got under my skin so he was doing his part acting. Chadwick Boseman portrays a quiet dignity like his character, Jackie while at the same time showing that he is controlling his anger. Nicole Behaire was delightful as Rachel Robinson. Boseman and Behaire played a cute on-screen couple.

If the movie makes you read more about this era, about Jackie Robinson who died so young, about Baseball pioneer, Branch Rickey then is doing its job. I for one, pulled two books I had purchased from libraries that were marked “discarded” They are “Opening Day the story of Jackie Robinson first season”

and “The Story of Branch Rickey”

Another book is

from Branch Rickey’s Little Blue Book:

Luck Is the Residue of Design – Branch Rickey.

I took my brother to see the plaque in front where Jackie Robinson’s mom moved with her kids in Pasadena. The house is no longer there but there is a plaque there.

I also took my brother to see the sculptures in front of the Pasadena City Hall of Jackie and his brother.

Jackie Robinson sculpture in front of the Pasadena City Hall. You can see Mack Robinson sculpture in the picture too. Mack is facing the City Hall, while Jackie is facing Brooklyn.

I hope that you too went out to the library or bookstore to read more about Jackie Robinson, Branch Rickey and about this era in Baseball history.

The first thing I noticed when I got to Dodger Stadium were the incredible long lines. I said “If that is the line I need to get in I am leaving” but I was told there was another line to get into the Fanfest. That line was much smaller. I got in line and started talking to the fans around me when one told me that if you are a season ticket holder you can walk right in, “Ahhh”, I thought “much better” Still the lines inside to get autograph were already long so I walked around chit chatting with friends

Afterwards I looked for the food trucks. I ordered a
a pupusa stuffed with chicken, cheese and spinach that was very good. I washed that down with a mango drink with boba (tapioca balls).

I had not heard from Lorena and I could not find Rosie so I was contemplating leaving to SABR day at the La Habra library. I was actually mapping how to get there when I heard from Lorena. I was so glad to see her! I had not seen her since our last game where Lorena, Rosie and I sat in the dugout seats for the last game at Dodger Stadium. Afterwards Amanda showed up then I ran into Char who is also a member of the Baseball Reliquary. She is a big fan of Wes Parker so I turned around and said “look at this”

Char was telling me about the baseball exhibition at the end so we all walked there. I had seen Gary Cypres exhibition at the Folk Art museum twice before so I left them there to go see and listen to Vin Scully.

They caught up with me and we listened to Matt Kemp. I told them that I was going back to the baseball exhibition. I started taking some pictures when I saw Dodgers Historian Mark Langill. He introduced to the two men he was talking to, Randy Tivens of Let’s talk Dodgers and Gary Cypres, owner Sports Museum of Los Angeles.

Randy Tivens, Mark Langill and Gary Cypres.

These three gentlemen made the day more enjoyable talking baseball and a little football was mixed in there too. It was such a long chat that Mark was afraid he was going to faint. I offered Mark one of the rice crispies they had at the Fanfest with the JCPenney logo made of sugar with sprinkles. He was eating that when Jorge Martin stopped to say Hi. I told Jorge “I almost did not recognize Jorge, you look like a regular fan. Mark said “he is!” 🙂

Jorge Martin, Emma and Mark Langilll. pic by Randy.

From there Mark went to get something to eat and Randy and I went to have our first Cool-A-Coo of 2013!

From Gary Cypres collection:

1910 Chicago Cubs field sweater

1920’s New York Yankees field sweater

1920’s St Luis outer jacket

Movie 42 at Dodger Stadium

Randy, Mark, Gary and I were talking about the upcoming movie 42, Jackie Robinson, Harrison Ford and Branch Rickey. I told Mark “they should show the movie at Dodger Stadium” to which he responded “We are” 🙂 Randy said “there you go Emma, exclusive!. haha.

Today we honor Jackie Robinson! This is a day I always look forward to attending at Dodger Stadium. I am proudly wearing my Jackie Robinson jersey at work and aftewards I will head out to Dodger Stadium to honor Jackie!

Thank you Jackie! Your breakthrough had an effect not just on baseball but you paved the way for a change in American society.

At the bottom of my work emails, you always get:
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives. -Jackie Robinson”

Today in honor of Jackie Robinson, make your life important by having a positive impact on the life of someone else.

I would like to see Tax Day moved from April 15th to the following day so that we can only associate April 15th with Jackie Robinson.

I am running a report on new hires at work. How appropriate that I am getting 42 new hires! Happy #42 Jackie Robinson Day!